DEA Targets Opioid Crisis in Georgia Take Back Campaign

The opioid epidemic clawing through Georgia’s neighborhoods gets a direct counterpunch this weekend as federal agents and prosecutors launch a statewide assault on unused prescription drugs. On Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., collection sites across the Middle District of Georgia will open for the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day—a coordinated strike aimed at stripping homes of expired, unused, and dangerous medications feeding addiction and overdose.

U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler announced the operation as part of a broader federal strategy to choke off the supply of opioids that too often start their deadly journey in family medicine cabinets. With nearly 6,000 collection sites nationwide backed by 5,000 law enforcement agencies, the DEA-led initiative targets the silent threat lurking behind bathroom mirrors. Liquids, needles, and sharps won’t be accepted—only pills and patches. Locating a drop-off is simple: visit www.DEATakeBack.com or call 1-800-882-9539.

Since 2010, the DEA has hauled away nearly 11 million pounds—over 5,400 tons—of prescription drugs from American homes. Last October alone, 457 tons were surrendered nationwide. Yet the crisis remains urgent. Prescription drug abuse rates hold steady at alarming levels, with most abusers admitting they get their pills for free from friends or family. These drugs don’t vanish on their own. They sit. They tempt. They kill.

“The societal problems created by opioid addiction are serious and widespread, and we are dealing with the negative effects in our justice system every day,” Peeler said, his voice edged with the fatigue of a prosecutor who’s seen too many overdose cases cross his desk. “Doing something as simple as cleaning out your medicine cabinet… will have a positive impact in our communities.”

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division, called the operation a critical step in “child proofing and teen proofing” homes. “Addressing the problem of the abuse of controlled pharmaceuticals continues to be one of DEA’s top priorities,” Murphy said. “I invite you to do your part in the midst of this opioid crisis as we strive to make our communities safer.”

Flushing pills or tossing them in the trash isn’t disposal—it’s dumping, and it brings risks to public health and the environment. Take Back Day offers a free, anonymous, and secure alternative. For questions, contact Pamela Lightsey at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges at (478) 765-2362, U.S. Attorney’s Office. This isn’t just about cleaning out a cabinet. It’s about cleaning up a crisis.

RELATED: 77-Year-Old Ran Fentanyl Empire From NOLA Homes

RELATED: Federal Indictment: MS-13 Gang Members Charged with Methamphetamine Trafficking